Time for Action: Reproductive Rights

Time Range For Action Alert:

March 29, 2019 to June 28, 2019

ACTION NEEDED:

Please ask your State Senator to SUPPORT SB1594, which would repeal the Parental Notification of Abortion Act. This bill would repeal an act that requires a healthcare provider to notify an adult family member at least 48 hours prior to performing an abortion for a patient under 18. The bill is on 2nd reading in the Senate.

WHY IT MATTERS:

The minority of teens who cannot tell a parent about an unplanned pregnancy usually have good reasons for not doing so. They fear

physical or emotional abuse

loss of shelter or financial support

being forced to have a child against their will

In addition, some have parents who are seriously ill or imprisoned. Since a judicial bypass law went into effect in 2013, 99.5% of the requests were granted because judges believed minors, with the input of their health care provider, were mature enough to make this decision independently.

This is consistent with the LWVUS position that we protect the constitutional right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices.